Automatic venting drum cap and valve assembly



Dec. 1, 1953 J. R. SNYDER ET AL AUTOMATIC VENTING DRUM CAP AND VALVE ASSEMBLY 2 Sheets-Sheet l? Filed April 27, 1950 FQ m w -.U/ENDT dzcob -Rush .Snyder Frank J Sc/lenkelbe Dec 1,1953 14R. SNYDER Em 2,661,019

AUTOMATIC VENTING DRUM CAP AND VALVE ASSEMBLY Filed April 27, 1950 v 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ZYJ-/ETJDT Jaca@ Rash Snyder Fr rf Sc/zenceberger 5717 "f H/Zzg Patented Dec. l, 1953 UNITED?- STATES PATENT OFFICE AIL'IQMAEICSVENTING DRUM CAP AND VALVE. ASSEMBLY Jacob Rush Snyder.' ma Frank J; schenken berger, Cleveland, lohimassignors: to Thump',- sonf Products-g. Inc;,` Cleveland, Ohio; a. corpo- Application April'2'2`g11950, Serial No. 158,562"

SClaimn, (Cl. 137-594) This invention relates generally toAV an automatic venting drum`v cap-v and valve assemblyas is frequently used connection with theu decantation" of' flu-ids" from' a drum` type closureha-vi'ng a-` drain valve opening therein.

More speci'cally, the present invention rehandle and the ven-t` tube: and val-ive: unit; isl

preferably composed? of? polyoleinio` thermoplas-v propylene, polystyrene, polyacrylate; polymethacrylate, polyvinylbutyl" ether and the like, al'- thoughl any suitable solidi inert polymerv orh resin can be usedl According to4 the principles of! the present in-A venti'on, at spigotV structure is@ provided which in cludes a bodyportionm'adeas an integral mold--v ing ofachemically inert plastic polymer such as polyethylene;y andy hasvv a generally cylindrical:

branched body defining a flow: passageway with a valve. seat' at on'ef` endl and?y ank outlet: spout= intermediate the ends thereof;` A exible thin-- walled; diaphragm bonnet: portion closesfl the other end of. the passageway and'` carries: an. in=

tegral handle or' stem@ fon attachment: to ay sep'` The diaphragm bonnet in its free posit/'icm isK bowedt ontwardly' fromf; they end'v of thel body' but can beedepressedznito: the. b'o'dy. Asili-,approachesA freez bowed position-it: tends; to: sua-pfy orl spring toi itsr fiilli boyv. and; this aston isf used to hold;r

the stenr mounted` valve: an. chased;l position against the?. openz endf off the body.'I When@ thev handle. ou'. stein pushed; to; depress `the dia;-l phragm, thevvaive will bfeL moved away-r from its.

seat; toi allow flow.Y through the: passageway and! spout:4` Thavalverhasaz defonnables beady thereon to insure seating on itszseat-` The venttube: of the; valvea extends through the valvef and: com municatesi withz arr. open port outside of the diaphragrnA to define ac veming passageway con.-

necting; the: insides of: the: drumclosure with the,-

atmosphere;` thereby;Y bleeding. ain intni the.v dimmi tot allowl freei ow off liquidi from the.l drum;

2. A- check' valve un the vent` tube controls the: venting passageway to preclude egressv of; uidz from the: closure outwardly through the venting passageway.. The check valve may convenientlycomprise av collapsible sleeve, also madev of theY same material" as the body and valve and which is attached' to the inner end of the' vent tube;V

l'n ord'er to adapt the spigot structure de scribed for installation into. the' drain valve: opening of a drum type closure,k a bung bushing ring is provided which preferably is formed' from a corrosion-resistant metal such, asA stainlessV steel and constructed to' be tted over-'the cylindricali end' of the spigot. A reinforcing-ringal'so mada of corrosion-resistant metal' such as stainless steel or. the like is preferably moldedfin the valveV seat' end of the body to underlie the bung hush;- ing ring in order to impart rigidity to' the spigot structure and minimize distortion of thea valve seat.

Itis therefore an object of' the present invenztion. to provide a valve-controlled' spigot comiposed of a one-piece molded plastic bodyhaving an: integral flexible diaphragm operatively carrying a valve controlling flow through thebody.

A general object of the invention is toY provide a molded 'plastic valve body withv an integral. molded' flexible diaphragm forming a bonnet for the body.

Another object of` the present invention is to providefaspigot structure for a decantation ap-v paratus which includesa molded'one-piece body with a valve seat at one end andan integral' thin-wallr diaphragm portion at. the other end connected toy a valvecoacting withr the seat.

A. furtherV object of. the present; invention is to provideI an integral. molded body for a spigot structure provided with thin deectable bead portions adapted to establish a sealing relation ship.y whenl the.- bodyis cooperatively assembled with metal drum cap accessories.

Many other' features, advantages and.Y additional objects. of the` present invention will bee come manifest to those versed in the art upon making reference to the detail` description which followstandv the accompanying sheets of. drawings in which a preferred'V embodiment of a drum valve assembly according to the present inventionis shown.

On the drawings:

Figure 1 is a cross-sectional View of a valve assembly according to the present invention assembled in the drain valve opening of a drum type; closure and shown with the Valve componentsfina;` closed seated` position;

Eigure: 2' isa cross-*sectional view; oi a valve as- 3 embly shown in Figure l but with the components of the valve assembly repositioned in a flow position;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view with parts shown in elevation taken on line Ill-lll of Figure l;

Figure i is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional View of a portion of the inlet end of the spigot structure embodied .in the assembly of the present invention;

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view of the valve assembly components in the locale of the drain valve opening of a closure showing additional details of construction; and

Figure 6 is a fragmentary end elevational view of the valve assembly according to the present invention.

As shown on the drawings:

Referring generally to the drawings, the valve controlled spigot structure of this invention cona structed to automatically bleed air into a drum or container from which a fluid is being drawn is shown as comprising a valve assembly indicated by the reference numeral lll cooperatively re lated with an appropriate enclosure such as a drum or container il having the usual drain opening donned by an internally threaded bore formed in a boss IZ. The valve assembly IEI in cludes a spigot body i3 which takes the form of an integral one-piece molded unit made of a chemically inert polymer such as polyethylene and which has a generally cylindrical branched body portion defining an open-ended passageway lll with a hollow outlet spout I6 in association therewith.

A flexible thinwalled diaphragm bonnet portion il closes one end of the passageway is and has an integral central handle or stem i3 formed with a knob portion @55a on the outside of the diaphragrn and a hollow stepped bore lb extending from the knob through and beyond the diaphragm I.

A separate valve It also made of the same chemically inert polymer is provided with a tubular stein 2d deiining a venting passageway Zila which is telescopically receivable in the stepped bore 58h of the stem I8 and may be placed in firm assembly therewith by means of a pin 2 I.

The diaphragm Il in its free state is generally bowed outward with its central portions beyond the rigid end of the body. The length of the stem E@ is selected to slightly deforr-i the center of the diaphragm ll even when the valve .is fully seated, such deformation being indicated on Figure 1 by the reference character Ila, whereby the diaphragm ,il seeking its normal lfree configuration will impart a seating thrust axially to the valve stern 2S thereby serving to retain the valve le in a seated position in the open end of the passageway Id.

The valve it includes a disl;like body Illa somewhat skived along its peripheral edges as at Ish to denne a hevelled valve seating surface, the seating surface being particularly characterized by the formation of a relatively thin deformable annular bead 22 cooperable with a bevelled counterbore its forming a valve seat in the open ter minal end of the passageway I4 to eifect a sealproof closure of the open terminal end of the passageway lll to control the flow of fluid therethrough.

An annular strengthening rib ISC is also formed on one face of the dislrelilre body lila which, together with a plurality of spaced-apart radially extending ribs Illd, increases the rigidity of the valve structure.

The valve I9 is further provided with a plural ity of enlarged guide wing anges having aaially extending edge portions 'rito slidably cooperable with the walls of the passageway Inl to radially align the valve lil throughout the course of its traverse toward and away from a closed position when seated in the valve seat i3d.

It will be noted on the drawings that the stem 2i! extends substantially through the body Ita of the valve I9 and the venting passageway 2te establishes venting communication between the inside of the container II and the atmosphere through an outlet port 2li formed through both the stem I8 and the stem 2Q adjacent the outer face of the diaphragm Il.

A lapper type check valve 2t is mounted on the end of the stem 2li and preferably takes the form of a sleeve made of a flexible material with opposed flat wall portions and operates in a well known manner to permit one-way fluid flow of fluid through the venting passageway 2te. The cheek valve 26 may be conveniently fabricated from two pieces of a flat chemically inert plastic material, for example, polyethylene, and is thermally fused along its edge portions. is shown in Figure l, the normally collapsed wall portions of the check valve 2li will close olf the venting passageway 29a. However, if fluid is being taken from the closure il, air will vent inwardly into the closure through the aperture the venting passageway 29a and the check valve 26 (Figure 2).

Referring more specifically to Figures e and 5, a ring-like band 21 of corrosion-resistant metal such as stainless steel or the like is shown molded in the open terminal end of the passageway It. The band 21 holds the body against unequal shrinkage and imparts advantageous strength characteristics to the open end of the spigot body I3. As shown on the drawings, the band il? is spaced inwardly from the valve seat I3@ so as to have no adverse effect upon the sealing charn acteristics of the valve assemblies but the band minimizes warping of the seat. The edges 23a of the guide wing anges 23 will slidably engage the inside bore of the band 2l.

Referring particularly to Figures e and 5, it will be noted that the body l of the spigot strucn ture is of generally cylindrical configuration and is provided with several specific structural features which enhance the utility thereof.

An annular grooved recess 28 is provided on the external peripheral surface of the body I3 near the terminal end thereof to receive a snap ring 29, the purpose of which will become manifest presently.

A pair of annular recessed grooves 3Q are also provided on the peripheral portion of the body it in spaced relationship to the snap ring seating groove 23 and are separated from one another by an annular deformable rib Sd, the outer di ameter of which is slightly larger than the diameter of the generally cylindrical congurau tion defined by the body I3. Moreover, the in nermost of the grooves 3i! is bounded by a second annular deformable rib 30h which is of the same outer diameter as the rib 30u.

Deformation of the ribs 36a and 3th displaces a volume of material into the grooves 30 and eicently seals against a bushing ring 3l preferably made of a corrosion-resistant metal such as stainless steel or the like snugly engaging the outer peripheral area of the body I3 near the open asegure endthereof and retained .thereon by the sn'apiring Z9? received' by tliesnap ring seating groovel';

' The-body I3 is provi'dedFwith-'anannularishoulder 32:' against which a iiange 3'Iw defined by the bushing ring 3i' may abut; externally threaded portion SIbformedi on the bushing ring 3l! permitsA threaded'assembly of the,entireespigot structure in theinternally threadedbore formed in the boss l2' in the locale of theA drain-'hole of the closurel I I An annular sealing gasket 33'; which may alsoI be made from a chemically-inert"plastic' materiali. such asl polyethylene, may be inserted between the ange of the lziushing-v ring'land' the: boss IFE" to effect a seal' between the closure' IL' and the bushing ring '3 I The rigidity imparted to th'espigot? structure by the insert band Zi'insuresthat theebush-ingring 3l? will be concentri'cally' aligned relative'thereto and the deformable ribs 30a' and 30h willeifect' a positive sealing action Ion the inside borewalls: of thebushing ring 3l if such bore is selected to: have substantially the same 'diameter' as the' cylindrical portion of` the body I3, nevertheless, the body I 3 ofthe spigot structure may be rotated within the bushing ring 3I- if repositioning of the nozzle I 6 relative to the drain opening of the'closure i l isnec'essary or desirable.

In operation, the valve t'will' normally be retained in a closed position'by virtue of the axial thrust imparted to the valve stem 2li by the diaphragm El'. Thus, the spigot structure Ii3, when equipped with a bushing ring 3|', may be readily insertedY within the drain opening of a closure H and selectively actuatedv whenever decantation of fluid from the closure is required'.

To initiate iiow outwardly from the closure, the knob Ia is thrust inwardly, thereby re.'- ciprocating the stem so asvto.: move the valve I9 away from the valveseat I3a.z Fluid will then flow from the closure II through the fluid passageway I4 and through the spout I6 into a conduit 3d which may be conveniently connected thereto.

When the diaphragm I1 is depressed into the spigot body, as shown in Figure 2, the valve will be retained in a flow position with the valve spaced from its seat. Hence, no special holding means need be provided to maintain the valve in open position.

The guide wing iianges not only slidably enf gage the insert band 21 and the walls of the iiuid passageway I4 but position the valve I9 when it is moved forwardly to the flow position so that the valve I 9 may be readily retracted when flow through the passageway I4 is to be cut off.

Various modifications of the preferred structural embodiment herein shown by way of descriptive example might occur to those versed in the art, and it should be clearly understood that we do not propose to be limited to the precise details herein referred to for the sake of clarity but wish to embody within the scope of this invention all such modifications as reasonably and properly come within the scope of our contribution to the art.

We claim as our invention:

l. In a molded plastic spigot structure, a body portion. of generally cylindrical conguration having a passageway therethrough with an open terminal end dening a valve seat, a ring-like band in the open terminal end of the passageway to hold the body against unequal shrinkage, an annular recessed groove on the external peripheral surface of the body near the terminal end thereofto: receive a' lsnap-ring; an. annular.'

recessed groove orr-l theperipheral portion of' the;

body' in spaced relationship to the snap-ring seating groove.- and separated? therefrom by` an annular deformable rib, the outer diameterf of the annular deformablerib being slightly largery thanl the. diameter of the generally cylindrical conngura-tion` of 'the.bod.y,. av bushing ring snugly ritten on. the body'y and arranged toA sealingly en'- gage theY deformable rib., whereby deformation porticin.. of generally cylindrical. configuration.

havingray passagewaytherethrouglr with an open; terminal endl dening a. valve seat, a ring-like bandiu the-open. terminal endoftthev passageway to hold. the. body' against: unequal. shrinkage, an annular recessed groove on the external peripheral*y surface. of the. body nearl the terminalv end thereof to. receive. a( snap-ring, an. annular recesse'd groove on the. peripheral portion of the bodyf in spaced. relationship to the snap-ring seating groove and' separatedl therefrom by an annular' deformable. rib, the outer diameter of the annular deformable. rib being slightly larger than. the diameter. ofV the generally' cylindrical configuration. ofthe body, a bushing ring snugly tte'd on. the.l body and.` arranged to sealingly engage the deformable rib, whereby deformation of the rib will displace a volume of material into the recessed" groove and a snap-ring to retain the bushing ring on. the body, said bushing ring being provided" with external threads, a. drum closure having a drain. opening adapted to receivethe'bushing ring'anda gasket between the bushing ring' and the. drum closure, the body of the spigot structurel being rotatable within. the bushing; ring to. effect. repositioning thereof.. with.- ont. impairingf the sealing characteristics of the assembly.

3. A valve comprising mated movable inner and outer valve parts including a seat providing member and a valve head providing member connected by an annular flexible diaphragm being movable from a cup-shaped outwardly projecting position to a cup-shaped inwardly projecting position to prescribe the range of relative movement between said parts and being flexibly movable to said positions on opposite sides of a mid position for exerting a retaining force to hold said parts in open or closed end positions.

4, In a drum closure device, a body member providing a uid passageway having an inlet at one end and having an outlet, a valve selectively seating in said one end of said passageway to control said inlet and including a stem portion connected to said body member by a exible diaphragm closing the other end of said passageway, said diaphragm being iieXibly movable between outwardly and inwardly extending cup-shaped positions to prescribe the limits of movement of said valve and exerting stored energy in selected direction on opposite sides of a mid position to hold and retain said valve in either open or closed end positions between said outwardly and inwardly extending cup positions.

5. In a spigot structure having a passaged body providing a valve seat, a valve made of a chemically inert molded plastic polymer and having an annular deformable rib adapted to engage the valve seat deforming upon engagement to effect a fluid tight sealing on the valve seat, and an annular flexible diaphragm connecting said valve to said body and arranged to prescribe the range of relative movement between said parts, said diaphragm being flexibly movable to opposite sides of a pos. ion Alor exerting stored energy in selected direction on opposite sides of a mid position to hold and retain. said valve in either open or closed end positions, said body and valve elng more rigid than said diaphragm to localize flexing movements in the diaphragm as the valve is moved between opened and closed positions.

A valve e prising mated movable inner and einer valve parts including a seat providing meinber and a valve head provi-ding member connected by an annular diaphragm being movable `from a cup-shaped outwardly projecting position to a cup-shaped inw projecting position to prescribe the range of relative movement between said parts and being flexibly movable to said positions o o posits sides ci a mid position for exerting a L ,ning i e to hold said parts in open or clos nd posi and a handle portion oonneoted to valve and projecting outside of said valve parts in manually accessible position to provide manual means tor flexing the valve betw en said end positions.

7. In a drum closure device, a body member providing a iinid passageway having an inlet at one end and an outlet, a valve selectively seating in said ene end of said pas ,ev/'ay to control said inlet and including a stein portion connected to body member by a de ible diaphragm closing the other end sa1 passageway, said diaphragm prescribing the lin its of movement or" s id valve exerting stored energy in selected direction on opposite sides of a mid position to hold retain said valve in either open r close end position, said valve having a longitudinal formed therein extending through said stein portion and providing a venting dect independent of the fluid passageway, and a pressure responsive cheek valve for said venting duct on the end of said valve to prevent drainage fluid from entering said venting duet.

8. In a drum closure device, a body member comprising a chemically inert molded plastic polymer and providing a fluid passageway having an inlet at one end and having an outlet, a valve comprising a chemically inert molded plastic polymer and selectively seating in said one end of said passageway to control said inlet, said valve including a stern portion connected to said body member by a thin-Walled portion forming a. ilexible diaphragm closing the other end of said passageway, said diaphragm prescribing the liinits of movement of said valve and exerting stored energy in selected direction on opposite sides of a inid position to hold and retain said valve in either open or closed end positions, said body and valve being more rigid than said diaphragm to localize flexing movement in the diaphragm as the valve is moved between opened. and closed positions, and a rigid threaded ringcarried by said body member and adapted to threaded. into a bung bushing to mount the drum closure device in the drain opening of a drum.

JACOB RUSH SNYDEZR. FRANK J. SCHENKELEERGER.

References Cited in the le 0f this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

